May 10, 2022

Celebrating EveryStep Nurses: Meet Stacey Blitz

National Nurses Week, first observed in 1994, honors the contributions and sacrifices of the medical professionals who keep us healthy. It is celebrated between May 6, National Nurses Day, and May 12, the birthdate of celebrated nurse Florence Nightingale.

EveryStep is fortunate to have dedicated and talented nurses who work with expectant and new mothers and their children, individuals in the care of EveryStep Hospice, and seniors and others that receive home care services through EveryStep.

Nurse Stacey Blitz provides care through EveryStep’s Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program, which matches first-time parents with a nurse home visitor who provides education and support that begins during the mother’s pregnancy and continues until the child turns 2 years old.

Stacey graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School in 1997, received her associates degree in Science and then graduated from Mercy College of Health Science with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2009. From there she served at Methodist West Hospital in West Des Moines as an orthopedic, labor and delivery, and post-partum nurse before moving to UnityPoint’s OBGYN office at Methodist Hospital.

She came to EveryStep in October 2020, after another EveryStep employee told her about the great work environment. “I chose the NFP program because of my love for maternity and child development,” says Stacey. “I never feel like I am ‘at work’ when I am with my clients. I feel more like I am spending time with friends. It’s such a joy!”

Stacey says she loves spending time with her clients as they talk, laugh and sometimes cry. One special moment that stands out for Stacey is when one of her pregnant clients sent her a picture of her newborn just moments after the baby was born. “Knowing that I was of this high importance for her to think of me at this special time in her life made my heart so happy,” remembers Stacey.

Outside of work, Stacey is recently retired from the Iowa Army National Guard after 22 years. “Now I enjoy spending time with my husband, three kids and my grandson. I love to travel to new places a couple times a year. I also like to read, workout and I most love to shop!”

Mother’s Day holds a special place in Stacey’s heart. “Having the opportunity to work with first-time moms on their first Mother’s Day is a great blessing,” says Stacey.

EveryStep currently has several nursing opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a hospice or home care RN with EveryStep, please reach out to EveryStep HR recruiter Becky Elming and ask about our generous sign-on bonus! You can also view current openings on our website at https://www.everystep.org/careers.

If you or someone you know is struggling to find the support they need, please contact EveryStep at 515-558-9946 or complete the commitment-free, confidential “Find Care” form on EveryStep’s website at www.everystep.org/find-care. EveryStep staff will follow up with a phone call to answer your questions and provide assistance.